Team India have been handed a tough group in the Preliminary Qualifier - Round two of the FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia and the AFC Asia Cup 2019 UAE, alongside Asian powerhouses Iran and Oman while the other two teams are Turkmenistan and Guam.

While Iran(40) are the highest ranked Asian Team, Oman is ranked at 97th in the latest FIFA World rankings. Turkmenistan(159) and Guam(175) are ranked below India.

Here is how the eight groups looks like after the draw:

Group A: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Timor-Leste, Malaysia

Group B: Australia, Jordan, Tajikistan, Kyrgystan, Bangladesh

Group C: China, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan, Hong Kong

Group D: Iran, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Guam

Group E: Japan, Syria, Afghanistan, Singapore, Cambodia

Group F: Iraq, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei

Group G: South Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Laos

Group H: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Philippines, North Korea, Yemen

Each team will play every other team in their group in home and away basis.

The matches will be played from June 2015 till March 2016. Winners from each of the eight group and four best second placed teams will progress in final Qualification round for FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia and also will book their slots in the 2019 AFC Asia Cup UAE.

Team India will start their campaign on 11th June 2015 against Oman at home, while they will face their last group game on 29th March 2016 against Turkenistan at home also.

About
Debraj Banerjee

Hi, I am Debraj Banerjee from Adra, West Bengal. A keen follower of Indian football and always an optimist that the game will get the recognition it truely deserves. What we ask from you is your support and one day the dream might turn true. Fingers crossed for Indian football. Cheers!